The year 1435 marked a pivotal moment in the long and bloody conflict between England and France. The Treaty of Arras, signed on September 21, fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of Western Europe by ending the bitter civil war between the French crown and the powerful Burgundian faction. This diplomatic breakthrough would have far-reaching consequences for the final phase of the Hundred Years’ War.

The Fractured Kingdom: France Divided

By the early 15th century, France found itself torn apart by multiple conflicts. The English, under Henry V, had achieved stunning victories at Agincourt (1415) and through the subsequent conquest of Normandy. The Treaty of Troyes (1420) had declared Henry V and his heirs as successors to the French throne, disinheriting the Dauphin Charles (later Charles VII). Meanwhile, France was embroiled in a civil war between the Armagnac faction supporting the Dauphin and the Burgundians led by Duke Philip the Good, who had allied with England following the assassination of his father, John the Fearless, in 1419.

The situation reached a critical point in 1434-35. French forces, reinvigorated under commanders like La Hire (Étienne de Vignolles) and Jean Poton de Xaintrailles, began making significant gains against English positions. The capture of Gerberoy in May 1435 by French forces demonstrated their growing military effectiveness, while the death of the capable English commander John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, in June removed a key obstacle to French advances.

The Road to Negotiations

Duke Philip of Burgundy had grown increasingly disillusioned with the English alliance. The Burgundian territories suffered economically from the prolonged conflict, and Philip saw an opportunity to extract favorable terms from both sides. Following secret talks at Nevers in early 1435, Philip initiated grand peace negotiations at Arras, inviting representatives from England, France, the Church, and numerous European powers.

The conference, which began in July 1435, was one of the most spectacular diplomatic gatherings of the medieval period. The Burgundian court’s lavish display – with Philip arriving accompanied by 800 men and the Order of the Golden Fleece – contrasted sharply with the more modest English delegation led by Archbishop John Kemp. The French sent an impressive contingent including Charles, Duke of Bourbon, and Arthur de Richemont, Constable of France.

The Negotiation Deadlock

The fundamental disagreement proved irreconcilable. The English, still clinging to the terms of the Treaty of Troyes, insisted on Henry VI’s right to the French crown. The French delegation, empowered by recent military successes, demanded complete English withdrawal from French territory and renunciation of all claims to the throne.

As negotiations dragged through August, key events unfolded:
– English military reinforcements arrived in France but failed to reverse French gains
– French forces continued harassing Paris and its environs
– A tense standoff occurred when Burgundian forces nearly clashed with French raiders near Corbie

Cardinal Henry Beaufort’s dramatic arrival on August 23 failed to break the deadlock. By early September, the English delegation, realizing the futility of further talks, withdrew from Arras.

The Franco-Burgundian Reconciliation

With the English gone, Philip moved swiftly to finalize terms with Charles VII. The ceremonial signing on September 21 at Saint-Vaast Abbey was rich with symbolism:

– Jean Tudert, representing Charles VII, publicly acknowledged the wrong done in John the Fearless’s assassination
– Philip performed acts of homage to Charles VII
– Church officials formally absolved Philip of his oath to the Treaty of Troyes

The treaty’s provisions heavily favored Burgundy:
– Significant territorial concessions including Auxerre, Bar-sur-Seine, and Péronne
– Financial privileges and tax exemptions
– Virtual autonomy from royal authority
– Pardons for Burgundian partisans

Immediate Consequences

The treaty’s impact was immediate and profound:

Military Repercussions:
– The English lost their most powerful continental ally
– French forces could concentrate solely against English holdings
– John, Duke of Bedford’s death on September 14 removed England’s most capable French commander

Political Fallout:
– Charles VII’s legitimacy as sole French king was confirmed (except in English-held areas)
– The Armagnac faction resented concessions to Burgundy
– England found itself diplomatically isolated

Popular Reaction:
– Celebrations erupted in Arras and other cities
– Some Burgundian territories (like Amiens) resisted new tax demands
– The Parisian populace, suffering under English rule, saw new hope

Long-Term Historical Significance

The Treaty of Arras fundamentally altered the course of the Hundred Years’ War:

1. Strategic Rebalancing: France could now focus its resources against England without Burgundian distraction.

2. Burgundian Ascendancy: The treaty marked the apex of Burgundian power, creating what was effectively an independent state between France and the Holy Roman Empire.

3. English Decline: Without Burgundian support, England’s position in France became increasingly untenable, leading to their eventual expulsion (except Calais) by 1453.

4. French Unification: The reconciliation allowed Charles VII to consolidate his authority and implement crucial military reforms (like the standing army) that would defeat the English.

The treaty also had important cultural implications. The lavish Burgundian court became a center of Renaissance art and culture, while France’s renewed confidence found expression in architecture and national identity.

A Fragile Peace

Despite its success, the Franco-Burgundian reconciliation remained uneasy:
– Many Armagnacs never forgave Burgundian “treachery”
– Territorial concessions weakened France’s northern defenses
– Burgundy’s independent foreign policy (including ties with England) created future tensions

These unresolved issues would contribute to later conflicts between Louis XI and Charles the Bold, culminating in Burgundy’s eventual absorption into France after 1477.

The Treaty of Arras stands as a landmark in European diplomacy – a masterstroke by Philip the Good that secured Burgundian independence while enabling French resurgence. Its legacy endures as the moment when France began its transformation from a fractured kingdom to a centralized nation-state.